Column: The best of American craft beer

Craft beer plus America equals one full week to learn about, enjoy and share that special beverage you love so much. With more than 2,000 craft breweries in America and more popping up monthly, why not have a week to celebrate them?

As American Craft Beer Week arrives, let’s note that Texas is home to more than 60 of these craft breweries. One of my top four American craft breweries, Karbach Brewing Company, is located just down Interstate 10 from Beaumont.

Karbach hit the Texas craft beer scene in 2011 and has not ceased to amaze me since, particularly with the recent revelation that Karbach is now self-distributing in Beaumont. With signature beers like the Hopadillo IPA and Rodeo Clown Double IPA — and seasonal beer like the Yule Shoot Your Eye Out winter warmer — other Texas breweries will really have to step up their game.

Which brings us to Karbach Brewing Co.’s largest competitor, Saint Arnold Brewing Co. Less than 10 miles down the road from Karbach, Saint Arnold has quite possibly stolen my heart with the introduction of its phenomenal Bishop Barrel and Icon series. In case you have been living under a rock since 2005, the Saint Arnold Divine Reserve series release is the Black Friday of craft beer, and the taste is just as exhilarating as the hunt.

Jumping over to the West Coast, in a little hideaway 40 miles north of Mexico, you’ll find the town of Escondido, Calif., home of Stone Brewing Co. Stone has set the craft beer standard, as might be expected of a business named “All-time Top Brewery on Planet Earth” by Beer Advocate in 2008 — and 2009. Averaging 43 percent annual growth for the past 15 years, Stone has every right to have a beer called Arrogant Bastard Ale.

Just west of Napa Valley in Petaluma, Calif., you can find Lagunitas Brewing Co. (pronounced “lah-goo-KNEE-tuss”). The first thing that drew me to this brewery was an incredible hop note in its beer not found in other breweries’ offerings. The Hop Stoopid and Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ brews are enough to make you weak at the knees.

The second reason this brewery deserves recognition is its marketing/advertising team. They had the nerve to put out a beer called Lagunitas Sucks and another brew named Undercover Investigation Shut-Down, which inside sources say was created after an issue with the local police. Who doesn’t need a beer after an issue like that?

As you can tell from the previous selections, I’m a bit of a hop head. You might not agree. Craft beer isn’t for everyone. But from May 13 to May 19, try something new. Check out some of the events with your local distributors, bars, and shops. You might just find something you are as passionate about as I am.